An endangered right whale found off the Maine coast died after becoming entangled in fishing gear, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.
The whale was discovered over the weekend and towed to shore, where it was examined at a farm in Gorham.
Officials said Tuesday that the 43-foot, 45-ton female whale had gear tangled around her head, mouth, flippers and body.
NOAA said there were two more instances of whale entanglements reported in a period of just a few days.
Officials said it is not surprising because this is the time of year when the whales are returning to the water off the Maine coast.
Federal authorities are attempting to track the ropes that entangled the whale to their owner. Maine Lobstermen's Association executive director Patrice McCarron said the ropes found on the whale were much larger than those typically used by lobstermen.

PORTLAND, Maine —

An endangered right whale found off the Maine coast died after becoming entangled in fishing gear, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

The whale was discovered over the weekend and towed to shore, where it was examined at a farm in Gorham.